this all sounds about right!

i like the sound of the elastic for paddle holders. i have velcro on the blade and handle that stick to the side of the canoe and thwart respectively. i also have some pretty neat blaze orange rubber coated wire tie dealy bobs. they are the diameter of a pencil and 1 foot long. they wrap around the paddles for a just in case kinda thing.

i have to replace my yoke for this next trip and maybe i will try to incorporate some elastic straps for even quicker paddle securing.

my paddle partner (we do duo canoes and im in back) usually stops paddling around 100 yards from shore, secures his paddle/rod, unlashes the gear and puts on his pack. i have 1 inch nylon straps with buckles that snap through shoulder straps and around a thwart. upon hitting ground i secure my paddle and hop into the water and up goes the canoe and off we go.